Signal-indicator for automobiles



i. G. LUCAS.

SIGNAL INDICATOR FOR AUTOMOBLLES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 6, I920.

Patented July 19, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

1,385,016 Patented July 19,1921.

1. G. LUCAS.

SIGNAL INDICATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 6,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M Lucas til -JETS QFFlCE JOHN G. LUCAS, 0E DEARIBORN, MICHIGAN.

SIGNAL-INDICATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 19, 1921.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J OHN Gr. LUCAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dearborn, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal-Indicators for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automobile signals.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which opcrates automatically to indicate the intention of the driver to stop or suddenly slacken his speed. In the operation of an automobile, in the event of some contingency requiring a sudden stop or slackening the operator of the automobile is often too busy with the driving of the machine to enable him to utilize the common method of hand signaling to indicate his intention of slackening or stopping, and accordingly, unless the contingency is recognized by'the driver of the following automobile, a rear-end collision is very likely to occur. In addition to the automatic shifting of the signal to indicate this intention, my device likewise includes means whereby the operator may indicate his intention to change his course.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a device of this character an efficient and novel operating means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character extremely I simple in construction, and which is composed of the minimum number of'parts in order that the same may be rendered practicable for commercial exploitation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent throughout the course of the following description. 7

In the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a diagramm'atical side elevation of my signal and the connections therefor- V Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of my signal;

Fig. Sis an enlarged side elevation of the hand control;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and,

Fig. is a detail view of the foot control connectlons.

Referring now more particularly to the drawlngs, the signal proper consists in an outer drum 10, circular in cross section, whlch is provided longitudinally with a slot or opening 11. The drum is formed of sheet metal and the metal at the edges of the openmg 11 is crimped to afford guiding grooves 12 for the reception of the longitudinal edges of a transparent medium 13, such as isinglass. The ends of the drum 14; are likewise crimped to form annular groo-ves15 adapted for the reception of annular flanges 16 formed on end closureplates 17 which are provided centrally with an opening 18.

A shaft 19, is rotatably mounted in the openings 18 and has secured thereto a second or inner drum 20, provided upon its periphery with a suitable insignia, preferably, the words Go, Right, Left, and Stop. The arrangement of these words is immaterial except to the extent that the word Go should be arranged at one end of the series and the word Stop at the opposite end thereof. I

One end of the shaft 19, exteriorly of the drum 20, is provided with a pulley 21 and with a shoulder 22. To the shoulder 22 is secured, as at 23, one end of a coil spring 24, the opposite end of the coil spring being secured to the outer casing, as at 25. 'Secured to the pulley 20 and wound thereabout in a direction opposite to the direction of coil of the spring24: is a flexible element 26 of any suitable material, such as light cable or the like. Brackets 27 may be secured to the automobile in any desired manner and engage the end plates 17 of the outer drum, serving the dual purpose of preventing displacement of the end plates and supporting the signal.

Secured to the steering post S of the automobile immediately below the wheel, as at 28, is a casing 29 in which is rotatably mounted a drum 30. One end of the drum shaft 31 extends beyond the end wall of the casing and is provided with a resilient angular extension 82, embodying an operating finger engaged portion 33. The free end of the arm 32, by reason of its resiliency, has

a tendency to separate from the end wall of the casing. The side wall of the casing at the end thereof upon which the angular arm 7 slot is provided below the upper end thereof with spaced notches 36 and 37 providedwith 32 extends, extends beyond the end wall, as at 84, and has formed therein a slot 35 through which the arm 32 extends. This indicatory symbols to indicate various posi- .tions of the signals, as for example, L and 30. so that the shifting of the drum causes a corresponding shifting against the actlonof the spring 24. It will be obvious that the, arm, 32, by reason of the fact that it springs outwardly, will when'moved past the notch engage therein and hold the signalin the.

, adjusted position; and it will likewise be obvious that by deforming the arm, as by striking the same by the hand, the arm 32. will be disengaged from the notch and the arm andsignal will be returned to the normal position by the spring 24.

Secured to the cable 26 in any suitable manner is astop collar 40, arranged slightly rearwardlyof the cable with respect to the operating pedals of the automobile. Slidably mounted upon the cable 24, rearwardly of the stop collar 40, is a sleeve 41 to which is secured one end of. the spring 42, the

opposite end of which is secured, as at 43, to the brake pedal 44 at a point spacedfrom the pivot pedal thereof. It will be obvious that upon application of thebrake, the mo- 1 tion thereof will be transmitted to the cable 24 shifting the same and causing the word Stop to appear in the opening 11. To limit. the rotation of the inner rotatable ,sdrum, I have provided upon one of the heads 17 of. the outer drum, an inwardly projecting radial. flange 45, and upon theend of the inner rotatable drum and, outwardly projecting portion 46 which is adapted to :come into engagement with the flange when I the word Stop is alined with the opening 11. This provision is necessary, as is the spring 42, by reason of the-,fact that the brake pedal due to wearing of thebrake bands in use does not move a uniform distance at all times andthe change in distance must be compensated to prevent breakage.

The spring 42 will, of course, be strong enough to overcome the motion of the coil spring 24, but will not be r of. sufficient strength toplace a dangerousstrain upon the cable 26.

It will be obvious that my device, by reason of the simplicity of its construction and.

the ease with which it may be operated, as particularly well adapted for the use for which ,it is intended; and it will likewise be obvious that the construction of the same as hereinbefore set forth is capable of some change without in any manner departing from the spirit of my invention. I, accordingly, do not limit myself to such specific structure, except as so limited by the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an automobile signal, an outer cas ing comprising a'tubular sheet metal portion provided with a longitudinal slot, the metal at the edges of -said slot being crimped dium closing said slot and having itslong-ltudinal edges dlsposed within sald gulde grooves, the ends of said tubular member to afford guide grooves, a transparent mebeing likewise crimped to form an annular V groove, end plates for said casing embodying an annular flange adaptedto engage in said annular grooves anda drum rotatably mounted wlthmsald casing provided upon I the exterior thereof with indicatory symbols ahnable with the slot of said casing.

.2. In an. automobile signal, an outer casing comprising a tubular sheet metal portion provided with a longitudinal slot, the metal at the edges of said slot being crimped-to afford guide grooves, a transparent medium closing said slot and having its longitudinal V edges disposed within said guide grooves,

the ends of said tubular member being likewise crimped to form an annular groove, end plates for said casing'embodying an annular flange adapted to engage in said annular grooves and a drum 'rotatabl y mounted within said casing provided upon the exterior thereof with indicatory sym= bols 'alinable with the slot of saidcasing,

said-end platesbeing provided with 'open- I ings,'said inner rotatable drum embodying a supporting shaft rotatably mounted in said openings;

3. In an automobilesignal, an-outer casing comprising a tubular sheet metal portion provided with a longitudinal slot, the metal at the edges of said slot being crimped to alford guide grooves, a transparent medium closing said slot and having its longitudinal edges disposed within said guide grooves, the ends of said tubular 'member being likewise crimped to form an annular groove, and plate for said casing embodying an annular flange adapted to'engage in said annular grooves and a drum 'rotatably' mounted within said casing provided upon the exterior thereof. with indicatory'symbols allnable with the slot of said casing, said end plates being provided with openings,

said inner rotatable drum embodyinga sup-' porting shaft rotatably mounted-in said openings, said shaft being held against rotation with relation to said drum, a spring having one end secured to said shaft and wound thereabout and the opposite end thereof secured to said casing and tending to rotate said drum in one direction, a pulley mounted upon said shaft, a flexible element wound about said pulley in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation imparted to the drum by said spring whereby longitudinal shifting of said flexible element in a direction tending to unwind the same from said shaft will cause reverse rotation of said drum and coacting means carried by said drum and said casing for limiting the amount of such reverse rotation.

4. In an automobile signal, an outer casing comprising a tubular sheet metal portion provided with a longitudinal slot, the metal at the edges of said slot being crimped to afford guide grooves, a transparent medium closing said slot and having its longitudinal edges disposed within said guide grooves, the ends of said tubular member being crimped to form an annular groove, end plates for said casing embodying an an nular flange adapted to engage in said annular grooves and a drum rotatably mounted within said casing provided upon the exterior thereof with indicatory symbols alin-V able with the slot of said casing, said end plates being provided with openings, said inner rotatable drum embodying a supporting shaft rotatably mounted in said openings, brackets secured to said end plates and to the automobile supporting said casing and drum and preventing displacement of said end plates.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JOHN G. LUCAS. 

